Archive for April 4, 2018

Six months ago, the Louisville women’s lacrosse team was in turmoil. Roughly a dozen players left the program because of the reported heavy-handed behavior of head coach Kellie Young, and a subsequent investigation by the university led to her firing.

Scott Teeter, the head coach of the Canadian senior women’s national team and the head man at Canisius, was brought in two weeks afterwards, and he set out to rebuild. Things started off well for Louisville, as they went 5-1 in February.

The month of March, however, has been difficult for the Cardinals. They have won just one game in march, dropping six.

Of course, the tough ACC schedule has been an obstacle. The team was within shouting distance of Notre Dame, but suffered lopsided defeats to Duke and Boston College. But two of the three most recent defeats were by a margin of one goal.

Louisville has missed its all-time midfielder, Kaylin Morissette, who dominated the midfield with her ability on the draws and in redefending.

But what has hurt Louisville in this midseason slump has has been its offensive decisionmaking. In four of their losses, the Cardinals shot under 40 percent from the field. And in a sport where shotmaking is now everything, Louisville isn’t taking its chances.

The Cardinals have just three more chances at improving their positioning for the postseason, and it’s one of the most most difficult schedules possible. They have North Carolina this weekend, followed by a game against Virginia, and finish off at Syracuse.

This team could be one to watch for the postseason — but only if they can qualify.